Canada's Islamic State combat mission to end, new PM Trudeau tells Obama

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

OTTAWA: Canada's prime minister-elect Justin Trudeau said Tuesday he told United States (US) President Barack Obama that Canadian fighter jets would withdraw from fighting the self-styled Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, but gave no timeline for the withdrawal.

"About an hour ago I spoke with President Obama," Trudeau told a press conference.

While Canada remains "a strong member of the coalition against ISIL", Trudeau said he made clear to the US leader "the commitments I have made around ending the combat mission".

Canada last year deployed CF-18 fighter jets to the region until March 2016, as well as about 70 special forces troops to train Kurds in northern Iraq.

During the campaign, Trudeau pledged to bring home the fighter jets and end its combat mission. But he vowed to keep military trainers in place.

His new Liberal government will be "moving forward with our campaign commitments in a responsible fashion," Trudeau said. "We want to ensure that the transition is done in an orderly fashion."

Also read: Liberals win Canadian election, ousting Harper

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Qamer

Oct 21, 2015 12:20pm

I hope he also discontinue the unconditional support for Israel.

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Dr, Hameed Baloch

Oct 21, 2015 01:59pm

I congratulate wholeheartedly the Canada's prime minister-elect Justin Trudeau for his landslide victory on recent election. I hope he will fallow his charismatic father late Pier Trudeau and continue his legacy of impartiality and care towards the immigrants who are now part and parcel of proud Canadian society. Pak-Canadian Dosti Zindabad.

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Shakeel

Oct 21, 2015 02:43pm

A good start. There might well be a military solution to the ISIS problem, but the current strategy is not it and will only breed more terrorists. You cannot just bomb the problem away, the problem didn't magicly appear, the problem is due to political and economic circumstances on the ground which must be examined and fixed.

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mirza

Oct 21, 2015 03:09pm

Bravo PM. We expect great things from this prime minister. his father did wonderful things in Canada and still remember him with affection and respect

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Nazem

Oct 21, 2015 03:10pm

@Qamer you're very much correct... I think the west and USA should be able to solve the problem

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Oct 21, 2015 04:11pm

US and Britain broke the Middle East. They should fix it. Bush and Blair both dragged their forces into Iraq without UN authorization. You reap what you sow.

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shahid

Oct 21, 2015 04:31pm

@GA They are reaping what they sowed. Bit profits! Their game plan is working. The misery it brought to the locals is not their concern...

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asheikh

Oct 21, 2015 04:36pm

@ga unfortunately it is the millions of Iraqis, Syrians and Libiyans that are paying the price - not Bush and Blair

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Iftikhar Husain

Oct 21, 2015 04:42pm

Very sensible move it is good to be out of troubled areas.

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Zak

Oct 21, 2015 05:22pm

Justin , son of a great Canadian leader, Pierre will bring Canada back to its respected neutral well liked status as before the right wing Harper ruined it all.

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Zak

Oct 21, 2015 05:25pm

Justin Trudeau's fathe Pierre Trudeau had great affinity for Pakistan. He was a young reporter standing at wagah in 1947 along with an SP of police, receiving the refugees as they came across. He always advised pakistani leaders when they were in trouble , like 1971. He spoke up for pakistan in international forums. A great political family.

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Zishan

Oct 21, 2015 05:25pm

Ill take Canada over Russia any day.

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Believe

Oct 21, 2015 05:50pm

Interesting fact about Justin Trudeau "Tonight we'll dispense with the formalities. I'd like to toast the future prime minister of Canada: to Justin Pierre Trudeau," Richard Nixon said at a gala buffet in April 1972 during a state visit to Ottawa when Trudeau was just four months old. Trudeau's father Pierre, then nearing the end of his first four-year Liberal mandate as prime minister, responded that should his eldest son — born on Christmas Day 1971 — ever become Canada's leader, "I hope he has the grace and skill of the president." Just 24 hours as elect PM of Canada, he declared himself as "PM of all Canadians", tells Obama he is ending Canadian IS mission, First bill in Parliment will be to lower taxes for middle class Canadians. Welcome change Mr. Trudeau.

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faridullah

Oct 21, 2015 05:53pm

@Zishan What does that mean?

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Rao

Oct 21, 2015 05:57pm

@Zishan All right. Why did you omit mentioning about the Chineese who are the new liberators in the world order?

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Changez_Khan

Oct 21, 2015 06:21pm

Finally Canada will be run by a Sensible person.

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Ali

Oct 21, 2015 06:31pm

Indeed time will tell that he is also another international pupit of Isreal.

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Shahrukh

Oct 21, 2015 07:41pm

@Dr, Hameed Baloch You seem to be new immigrant in Canada but looking for a job.

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Sarwar, Canada

Oct 21, 2015 07:59pm

Congrat. PM elect Justin Trudeau. Good moves to undo Harpers blunders. Great father great son. It has proved Muslim votes counts and can make impact in Canadian politics.

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Prateek

Oct 21, 2015 08:02pm

Indo-Canadians candidates have won a record 19 seats in Canada's general election this time.

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Canada For Canadians

Oct 21, 2015 08:37pm

Wrong ! Only 6 Canadian F18s are returning. All other supports like training,land support of Kurds and commandos all are intact.

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rahat

Oct 21, 2015 08:50pm

@ga they are not reaping what they sowed, it's the poor people of Iraq and Syria who are reaping what these international thugs sowed for them.

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Yousuf

Oct 22, 2015 01:51am

Great, Keeping promises will give your success in political career

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Afaq

Oct 22, 2015 05:27am

Dawn is so quite on this even no mention of two Pakistani women Salma Zahid and Iqra Khalid, representing the Liberal party, won seats in the Canadian elections 2015 held on Monday. Both women won the election against Conservative incumbents.

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Mansoor-Toronto

Oct 22, 2015 05:34am

we support Justin alot. He will fulfill all the promises, like his father. He is loved by all here.....

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Kim

Oct 22, 2015 06:32am

Finally a sensible leader who will keep peace in world.

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ravi vancouver

Oct 22, 2015 12:08pm

I was surprised to read comments here on Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's decision to remove Canadian air force aircrafts from Bombing missions aimed at IS. Nobody criticized his action, this points to the fact that IS propaganda is working and surprisingly there is growing support for IS group. I feel IS should be defeated and finished at all costs as this group is challenge to humanity and particularly dangerous for Muslims.

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